Episode 1 – A Familiar Stranger
A deep coldness wrapped around Chun Yu before she even opened her eyes.
She felt dampness beneath her fingers, the texture of grass unfamiliar yet strangely comforting. A breeze swept past, carrying the scent of something ancient—earth, rain, and blooming magnolias.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly regained consciousness.
Where am I?
Chun Yu sat up, her vision still hazy. Her heart pounded as she took in her surroundings.
A garden stretched around her, bathed in the soft glow of twilight. Stone lanterns lined the cobbled pathways, their dim flames flickering against the growing darkness. Cherry blossom trees swayed gently, their petals floating in the air like drifting snowflakes.
It was breathtaking.
But it wasn't home.
Panic surged through her.
She had been—falling. She remembered stepping into a puddle, feeling something pull her under. A flash of light—then nothing.
Now, she was here.
And it felt eerily real.
Her breath came in shaky gasps. The architecture, the scent of the air—this wasn't the modern world.
This was—ancient China.
Her chest tightened.
She had time-traveled again.
And then—
A voice.
"Miss, are you lost?"
Chun Yu's body stiffened.
She turned around instinctively—
And froze.
A young man stood before her, dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with golden clouds. His long, jet-black hair was tied neatly at the back, a jade hairpin securing it in place. His features were sharp and striking—familiar.
Too familiar.
Her throat went dry.
"Song Lu?"
The name slipped out before she could stop herself.
He stared at her. His dark eyes studied her with quiet curiosity—but there was no recognition in them.
"This humble one's name is Song Lu," he said politely. "But I do not believe we have met before, Miss."
Chun Yu's breath caught.
This wasn't right.
Song Lu should have remembered her. He always remembered her.
But in this loop—
He had forgotten.
---
Episode 2 – A Time Loop or Another World?
Chun Yu's heart pounded in her chest.
This had to be a trick. A misunderstanding.
Or perhaps—a crueler twist of fate.
Every loop before, she had been the one to forget while Song Lu remembered.
But now?
Now, the universe had reversed their suffering.
Now, he was the one lost to the past, and she was the one who had to make him remember.
Her fingers curled into fists.
Would fate never stop tormenting them?
She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.
If this was another loop, she had to figure out why.
And more importantly—how to fix it.
"Miss?" Song Lu's voice was gentle, but distant.
His gaze held no warmth. No familiarity.
Just politeness.
Like she was a stranger.
The realization stung more than she had expected.
Swallowing her emotions, she forced a smile. "I—I'm lost," she lied. "Could you help me?"
Song Lu nodded without hesitation.
He was still the same person. Kind, honorable.
Even if he didn't remember their love.
But she did.
And she refused to let this loop steal him from her.
---
Episode 3 – A Love Forgotten by the Universe
Days passed, and Chun Yu remained in this world.
This version of Song Lu was a scholar, respected and admired in his town. He spent his days reading scrolls, practicing calligraphy, and debating philosophy with fellow students.
He was intelligent. Graceful.
And yet, he was empty.
Every time she saw him, her heart clenched.
Where was the Song Lu who once longed for her?
Who had chased after her through lifetimes, never giving up?
Gone.
She had to get him back.
One evening, under a lantern-lit sky, she finally tested him.
"Song Lu," she said softly. "Do you believe in fate?"
He paused, setting down his scroll.
"Fate?" he echoed.
She nodded. "The idea that souls can be connected across lifetimes. That no matter how many times they part, they will always meet again."
He stared at her for a long moment.
Then, he smiled—but it was hollow.
"That is but a story poets like to tell," he said. "A romantic illusion."
Chun Yu felt her chest tighten.
In another life, he had lived for that belief.
And now?
Fate had stolen it from him.
---
Episode 4 – A Flicker of the Past
She refused to give up.
One night, as Song Lu walked her home, she noticed him frowning at a small object in his hand.
Her breath hitched.
It was an embroidered handkerchief.
Not just any handkerchief—hers.
She had given it to him in a different lifetime.
"Where did you get that?" she asked carefully.
He frowned, shaking his head. "I… don't remember."
Chun Yu's heart pounded.
This was it. A flicker of recognition.
A piece of their past, breaking through the curse.
She reached out, closing her fingers over his hand.
"You do remember," she whispered. "Somewhere deep inside, you know me."
Song Lu stiffened. His eyes darkened with something unreadable.
Then—he abruptly pulled away.
"I should go," he murmured.
And just like that, he was gone.
---
Episode 5 – The Loop Begins Again
The sky darkened.
A strange, unnatural wind began to swirl around her.
Chun Yu gasped as a sharp pull yanked at her soul.
"No—"
The sensation was familiar.
The loop was restarting.
She was being taken away.
She turned—desperate, searching.
"Song Lu!" she screamed.
But he was gone.
Or maybe—she was the one disappearing.
A sharp pain shot through her chest as the world collapsed.
The last thing she saw was the cherry blossom trees swaying above her.
And then—
Darkness.
---
She woke up in her bed.
Chun Yu sat up, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Her hands trembled as she clutched the blanket.
Something was missing.
She pressed a hand to her chest.
Her heart ached—but she didn't know why.
Then, she felt it—
A single tear trailing down her cheek.
She didn't know why she was crying.
But deep down, in the depths of her soul—
She knew she had lost something irreplaceable.
Somewhere, across time, across fate—
Song Lu was still waiting